Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2016: introductory booklet

An update to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD).


How can I use SIMD?

Use SIMD for

  • Comparing overall deprivation of small areas
  • Comparing the seven domains of deprivation
  • Comparing the proportion of small areas in a council that are very deprived
  • Finding areas where many people experience multiple deprivation
  • Finding areas of greater need for support and intervention

Do not use SIMD for

  • Saying how much more deprived one area is from another - the difference between two ranks can be tiny or large
  • Comparing ranks over time - changes are relative and may not reflect actual changes in the neighbourhood
  • Comparing with other UK countries - each country measures deprivation slightly differently
  • Identifying all people who are deprived in Scotland - not everyone who is deprived lives in a deprived area
  • Finding affluent areas - lack of deprivation is not the same as being rich

Contact

Email: Alastair McAlpine, alastair.mcalpine@gov.scot

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